Daily Kennebec journal., 1887-12-13
WASHINGTON MATTERS
An Viewed by the Postmaster Of the
Senate.

Mr.. Bigelow returned home from Wash
ington on private business yesterday. To a
kennebec Journal reporter who called ON
him he kindly consented to give some of his
impressions of the political outlook, and sit
usted as he is. postmaster of the U. S. Sem
ate, these impressions cannot fail to be of
interest.
Il am willing to answer questions" said
new"
II would like your ideas concerning the
probable work and results of the present
| session of Congress, the feelings of con-
gressmen on the tariff outlook, etc"
Broad questions. Well, as to the present
session of Congress think it bids fair TO be
bill to be passed, and it will probably be well
into the spring before revenue bill can be
matured. Then most members will feel in
duty bound to their constituents to speak on
the tariff bill The session may last into
August. As to the Presidents message l
think | can say that il was surprise alike to
republicans and democrats, with the excep-
ton perhaps of Mr.. Carlisle and few init
mate friends of the President. The republi-
cans feared that double faced policy similar
TO that used by the democrats in the last
election would be adhered to by the Presi-
dent and they are ready and glad to go be-
fore the people ON the issue which now must
be taken by the democrats. 1t is really sur
prising to note the enthusiasm of republicans
arising from the Presidents recent attitude
and the letter of Mr.. Blaine. All are hope
ful. Congressman naturally express them
selves more fully privately than publicly. A
senator, won't call names, said that former
ly he didn't believe in the nomination of
Blaine, but since the Presidents
message and Blaine's letter he
believec that Blaine was the right man.
There is great enthusiasm for Blaine at the
Capital. 1t seems that Cleveland has made
the platform on which he must stand and
that the democrats will be unable TO modify
it to any great extent"
what do you think Randall expected the
President to advocate?"
Il imagine he expected him to take the
tax off from tobacco and the balance off i'm
ported goods.
What of Mr.. Randall's proposed bill we
hear spoken Off"
"A bill framed by Randall would be as
strongly objected to by the democrats as
republican bill
"Will Mr.. Randall be prominent in the
committees?"
II think he will have the craftsmanship of
the appropriation committee. They can't
afford to throw him over entirely. The mes
sage | think shows the effect on the Presi-
dent of his trip SOUTH
What do you think are the prospects of
tariff bill being passed by the House?"
at is difficult to tell. The democratic
margin as compared with that of the last
Congress, is about fourteen to forty, but
think the President will exert all his inhu-
ence to get through bill partakng as nearly
as possible of the ideas expressed in his mes
sage. But it is probable that members from
manufacturing districts will hesitate to legis-
late against their constituents Judging from
the previous rulings of Mr. Carlisle, things
will have to be acceptable to the majority of
the democrats rather than to the majority of
the House. don't see how the democrats
can hope to carry Connecticut and New Jer-
sey in the next election. The interests of
importers in New York city may partially
counterbalance the manufacturing interests
in that State"
"Where do you think the administration
will look to replace Connecticut and New
Jersey"
'Ierhaps 10 Minnesotta, Wisconsin OF
Iowa"
'In all probabilities the leaders of those,
who bolted the nomination of four years
ago will antagonize any republican committee
that might be brought forward but the rank
and file of the mugwumps, | believe to be
heartily sick of their present party affiliations.
1t is thought that Cleveland to atone for the
civil service reform pretensions, now for
feted takes up free trade which is known to
be the theory held by the mugwump leaders.
In the conversation that followed Mr.,
Bigelow said that he believed people both
north and south would soon awake to the
fact that Caroinian being equal to three
and half Maine men was an outrage on our
system of government. As negroes are count
ed b, the representation they should have the
right to vote.